The modified legislation to force a sale or total ban of China-owned TikTok in the US includes extending ByteDance's divestment period from six months to a year, potentially alleviating concerns from Senate critics.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell expressed support for the updated bill, noting that the extension of the divestment period is crucial for ensuring ample time for a new buyer to secure a deal.
Experts were initially skeptical about the Senate holding a vote on the TikTok bill before the 2024 election, given the app's popularity. Both parties in Congress have raised concerns about TikTok being used for surveillance and propaganda by China.
US intelligence officials reported that TikTok has been involved in 'malign influence operations,' adding to the concerns that the app could be leveraged by the Chinese government for dubious activities.
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